Page 19 of Legally Binding
“It’s not until he gets back. We agreed you’d be moving in. I made a contract.”
“You did?” I know he said that, but I didn’t think he’d really drafted one.
“Yes.” He looks surprised—like obviously he will do what he says he will. “Your building's front door is broken.”
“I know. It’s not really that big of a deal.” I try to downplay it because I’m embarrassed at how terrible this place is compared to his. Even now, he’s totally out of place in his tailored suit while standing in my bedroom.
Our apartment isn’t dirty, but it’s run-down. I tried to spruce my room up with a coat of paint, but it didn’t really help. I didn’t have money to do much else, plus I didn’t want to spend more on a place I was renting and hated.
"We also have a broken lock on our door," Ciara chimes in. She’s lingering in the hallway listening to our conversation. "And she signed a lease so she can't ditch us."
"I'll keep paying my rent," I tell her, though I can't see her. Landon is looming in the doorway, and he’s taking up all the extra space. "I can keep this place for now but stay with you while your house manager?—"
"You're moving in." Landon's words come out with finality. I see him take a deep breath, and then his tone softens. "It's for the best."
I think Landon's kid gloves slipped off for a moment there, but he's quickly putting them back on. It's adorable, not that I plan on telling him. I’m not sure he’ll appreciate being called adorable. Plus, when he issued the order, it was sort of hot. Getting bossed around shouldn't be a turn-on, but here we are.
"Okay." I nod in agreement.
"Good girl," Landon says and steps past me. "What all do you want to take?" He surveys the room like he’s trying to decide how much he can carry at once. "If you don't take any of the furniture, I can order new things."
“We could use new furniture here,” Ciara says, and I close my eyes, wondering when she became so chatty.
Could this get any more embarrassing? I’ve already heard Landon’s not so subtle suggestion that he doesn’t want me to take any of my furniture. Truthfully, I can't blame him on that one. The furniture in here came with the apartment, and it’s crap.
Landon turns toward her, and I see the harsh expression on his face. Ciara mutters an apology, and I have to cover my mouth with my hand to keep from laughing.
“I wish I could shut people down like that,” I say to him when he looks back at me. “It’s your superpower.”
“It comes with the job.” He winks at me, and I swear it makes my body heat.
“Oh, so they teach it in law school?”
“I perfected it myself,” he teases, and I snort a laugh. “You should have called. I would have come to help.”
“You had work, and I can handle this.” I wave my hand around my room. “Besides, I’m supposed to be making your life easier.”
“I didn’t say you couldn’t handle it. I’m saying I want to help.”
“Really? Isn’t moving supposed to be the thing people hate?”
"You admit you're moving in then?" He lifts a brow in challenge.
"Lawyers and their word games." I shake my head at him.
"I'll use whatever skill I have to get you back home."
All my insides melt at his words. He's so dang sweet. "Okay then. Let's grab my things and go. We have a little one waiting for us."
"Grab your things and go home." There is a hint of a challenge, but it’s kind of endearing.
"Go home." I repeat the words and damn, they feel right. So does the smile Landon gives me before he leans down and presses his mouth to mine.
Maybe it’s Landon that’s starting to feel like home.
Chapter Twelve
LANDON
